Real Research: Research Methods Sociology Students Can Use is an innovative text that takes a holistic approach to the subject by discussing each step in the research process within the context of a particular method. With no generalizations about concepts that apply to only some research methods but not others, students can jump into the first research method within the first two weeks of class. After an overview of data collection in the first chapter, subsequent chapters focus on eight specific quantitative and qualitative methods most frequently used in sociology. The Second Edition includes a new chapter on focus groups, updated “Real Research” profiles of individuals using research methods in a wide range of careers, and examples of common student errors to streamline learning.

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1: Introduction

What Is Empirical Social Research?

Why Is Research Important?

Methods of Data Collection

Quantitative and Qualitative Research

Basic and Applied Research

The Components of Research

Reading This Text

Summary Points

Chapter 2: Interviewing

Methodology

Theory

Research Questions

Literature Review

Ethics

Sampling

Preparing for Data Collection

Data Collection

Data Analysis

Conceptualizing and Operationalizing

Evaluating the Quality of Data and Analysis

Presenting the Results

Summary Points

Chapter 3: Observation and Ethnography

Methodology

Theory

Research Questions

Literature Review

Ethics

Sampling

Conceptualizing and Operationalizing

Preparing for Data Collection

Data Collection

Data Analysis

Evaluating the Quality of Data and Analysis

Presenting the Results

Summary Points

Chapter 4: Surveys

Methodology

Theory

Research Questions

Literature Review

Conceptualizing and Operationalizing

Sampling

Ethics

Preparing for Data Collection

Data Collection

Data Analysis

Evaluating the Quality of Data and Analysis

Presenting the Results

Summary Points

Chapter 5: Secondary Data Analysis

Methodology

Theory

Research Questions

Literature Review

Ethics

Preparing for Data Collection

Conceptualizing and Operationalizing

Sampling

Data Collection

Data Analysis

Evaluating the Quality of Data and Analysis

Presenting the Results

Summary Points

Chapter 6: Existing Statistics Research

Methodology

Theory

Research Questions

Ethics

Preparing for Data Collection

Conceptualizing and Operationalizing

Sampling

Data Collection

Data Analysis

Evaluating the Quality of Data and Analysis

Presenting the Results

Summary Points

Chapter 7: Content Analysis

Methodology

Theory

Research Questions

Literature Review

Sampling

Conceptualizing and Operationalizing

Ethics

Preparing for Data Collection

Data Collection

Data Analysis

Evaluating the Quality of Data and Analysis

Presenting the Results

Summary Points

Chapter 8: Experiments for Evaluation Research

Methodology

Theory

Research Questions

Literature Review

Choosing a Study Design

Conceptualizing and Operationalizing

Sampling

Ethics

Preparing for Data Collection

Data Collection

Data Analysis

Evaluating the Quality of Data and Analysis

Presenting the Results

Summary Points

Chapter 9: Focus Groups

Methodology

Theory

Research Questions

Literature Review

Sampling

Conceptualizing and Operationalizing

Ethics

Preparing for Data Collection

Data Collection

Analysis

Presenting the Results

Summary Points

Appendix A: Reviewing the Literature

Types of Sources

Searching the Literature

Reading Scholarly Articles

Writing a Literature Review

Plagiarism

Appendix B: Writing a Research Proposal

Title

Introduction and Literature Review

Research Question

Data Collection

Data Analysis

Implications

Timeline

Budget

Style

Guidelines and Formatting

A “Seamless Whole”

References

Index

About the Author

Supplements

I like several things about this text, including its accessibility (in terms of content), the emphasis on real research, the focus on ethics and the price point. That said, it doesn't cover a sufficient breath of research methods to make it a stand alone text for an International Studies course in methods. I will probably use a course pack or open access materials the next time I teach the class.